The Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network (MTFHN), an initiative of the Breathe Easy Coalition of Maine, recognized 11 MaineHealth hospitals and affiliates through its 2016 Gold Star Standards of Excellence program. This annual initiative recognizes hospitals for addressing tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke through best practice policies and procedures.

Maine hospitals that met at least seven of the 10 standards were recognized at the gold, silver or bronze level depending on the number of standards they met. 100 percent of all MaineHealth hospitals, including two out of three affiliates, received “Gold Star” awards.

Three Maine Medical Center (MMC) nurse practitioners – Donna Chamoff, Maura McDonald and Deirdre Sulka Meister – were recognized as MTFHN Gold Star Champions for providing intensive tobacco treatment at the bedside for MMC patients and their continued leadership and advocacy for tobacco-free environments and resources at MMC.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the U.S., including nearly 42,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure.

The recognized hospitals are addressing this issue through comprehensive policies, education, and treatment support. Examples of the Gold Star Standards of Excellence include creating a 100% tobacco-free campus, prohibiting advertising or promotion of tobacco products; promoting smoke-free community lodging for patients and families; and providing tobacco treatment and medication benefits for employees. View the full list of standards here.

MaineHealth President Bill Caron said, “MaineHealth hospitals are deeply committed to supporting tough policies and programs that prevent and treat tobacco use – we’re proud of all of the hard work by our clinicians, administrators, boards, and employees to achieve 100% recognition from the Maine Tobacco-Free Hospital Network.”

The following MaineHealth hospitals, affiliates and individuals were recognized in 2016: